| Object: M106 (NGC 4258) | Date: 2019 February 24 |
| Type: Spiral galaxy | |
| Constellation: Canes Venatici | Time & altitude: 22.45 UT 59º |
| Catalogue data: | Seeing (5 high): 3/5 |
| R.A: 12h 19m | Transparency (5 high): 4/5 |
| Dec: 47º 18 | Telescope: 0.5m f4.1 Dob. |
| Magnitude 8.3 | Eyepiece 8mm Ethos x260 |
| Size (mins) 18×7 | Filters: None |
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Notes: Despite the quoted magnitude, this is a difficult object to pick out any detail in. As with M109, there is no real sign of spiral structure. The long axis of the galaxy is aligned NNW-SSE. The halo is faint and asymmetric, as if the S end of it is missing. The long axis of the bright core lies NW-SE. The core seems comet-shaped with a non-stellar nucleus at the NW end. Beyond the NE side of the core it appears slightly darker but I worry this could be a contrast effect. The observed size is no more than 7 arcmins so it is clear I have failed to detect the galaxy’s outer halo. |
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